Electrolytic heater



Sept. 17; 1929. sz 1,728,450

' ELECTROLYTIC HEATER Filed Jan. 28. 1928 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 John Sfisz.

- Sept. 17, 192 9.

J. SLISZ ELECTROLiTIC HEATER Filed Jan. 28. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- gwvefito'o John Slisz.

Patented Sept. 17, 1922 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN SLISZ, OF EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES R.

BROCKMAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI ELECTROLYTIC HEATER Application filed January 2-8. 1928.

The invention relates to electrolytic heaters and more particularly to the type of heater in which an electrode unit is employed to heat an electrolyte, and vaporize the same, the vapor from the electrolyte being utilized for heating or other purposes.

One of the objects of the invention is to improve the electrode unit employed.- A

further object is to regulate the rate of heating by definitely controlling the composition and conductivity of the electrolyte. A further object of the invention is to automatically cut off the current supplied to the electrode unit when the pressure of the vapor from the electrolyte exceeds a predetermined amount, to automatically restore the current when the'pressure is lowered.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the more detailed description of the invention which follows. I am aware that attempts have been made to attain certain of these objects, but according to my invention the objects are attained in an improved manner.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section showing a complete electric heater, equipped with means for controlling the pressure of the vapor produced by electrolytic heating of the electrolyte.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are details of the electrode unit shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a modification of-the electrode reinforcing element shown in Fig. 2..

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are modifications of the electrode unit employed in Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the reference numeral 10 denotes a suitable tank which is adapted to be filled with an electrolyte 12 to the level indicated. The'e'lectrolyte may be supplied from a filling cup. 13, provided with a screw threaded cap or plug. 14, and communicating with the lower portion of the-tank 10 by means of a pipe' 15, which may be .of glass, which thusserves as a gage for determining the Serial No. 250,167.

is used for heating purposes, or an engine in case the steam is used for power purposes, it being understood that the invention is of wide application. A return inlet 23 for condensed vapor is provided near the bottom of the tank.

In-my heater it is desirable to accurately determine the conductivity of the electrolyte, and thereby control its current carrying capacity. For this purpose I employ pure water, such as rain water or distilled water and add a definite amount of a suitable acid, base or salt. The material added to the water depends upon the type of container employed. Where iron or steel containers are used sulphuric acid may be employed in making up the electrolyte. In brass or copper containers iodine is preferable to an acid. For containers lined with graniteware, glass, kaoline, quartz products, or as a general class lime or silicate lined, sodium chloride may be employed, since an acid would in time deteriorate the lining.

Mounted within the bottom of the tank and in contact with the electrolyte is an electrode unit. As shown, the unit is mounted in a metal casing 24 which is'suitably threaded to be screwed into the bottom of the tank. The electrodes 25 and 26 are mounted within a porcelain or other insulating base 27 within the metal casing. Binding screws 29 and 30 are connected to the electrodes and to these are attached wires 31 and 32 leading from a source of current and passing through apertures in the insulating base and the metal casing. The electrode 25 is preferably the negative element, and is cylindrical in form, is con- 50 111' lace.

tr es may be varied -as desired, being siderably higher than the positive element 26, and has approximately four times greater exposed area than the positive electrode, to insure carrying oif all current 5 transmitted from the positive electrode.

- Openings 32 are provided in the negative I element to allow passage of the electrolyte.

This is important as the level of the electrolyte may fall below the top of the negative element, and the only flow would then be through the openings 32:

Just as it is important that purejwater b used in preparing the electrolyte, to in- 53% a definite Conductivity, so it is also im ortant to have electrodes which will not be disintegrated by the solution under action of electricity, and thus destroy the usefulness of the electrodes, and. render the conductivity of the electrolyte uncertain.

'20 For this purpose, electrodes having surfaces of pure carbon are essential. The ordinary commercial carbon is not satisfactory as it contains foreign-substances which under the action of the electrolyte set up local action, and render the carbon porous.

However, unreinforced pu're carbon is not isufliciently resistint to shock, and accordingly it .is neces ry to provide reinforcing I elements 33 and 34 of aluminum or German silver, which msubstantially nonexpanding, and not easily corroded, as well as possessing high conductivity. Aluminum is probably .preferable onaccount of its cheapne ss. p y '.In order that the carbon may adhere firmly to the reinforcing elements the latter are roughened in a suitable manner. The

' positive element 34 isshown in Fig. 2 and is there shownas roughened by twisting, 49 forming/grooves 35 to which the carbon firmly-adheres, as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig.

5 an-alternativeform of reinforcing element 34, is shown, the surface'being roughened or gridded by punching or burr'm'g the sides as at 35'. Fig. 4 shows the reinforcing element 33 of the negative electrode, which is in the form of a sleeve, the surface of which is burred or gridded, to provide projections for holding the carbon Obviously the shape of the elecround, square, or of any suitable crosssection.

' For best-results I have devised a special method of making the electrodes,.which insures their purity, and the adherence ofxhe carbon to the reinforcing elements. cording to my method I first obtain finely divided carbon, made of charcoal or coal dust, which has been chemically treated to "remove all foreign material. .I-then moisten the finely divided carbon with sugar molasses diluted in distilled water. This pasty mass is then a plied tothe surface of the roughened rein orcing element,'which has firstbeen' coated with the molasses soluh tion, and the'wholeis then placed in a mold where it is sub] acted to a pressure of approxelectrode, while in the mold and under pressure is sealed with a vented plug, and is submitted to sufiicient heat to thoroughly dry and bake the carbon elements. Attached to and forming part of the, reinforcing elements are the binding screws, which are made of the same metal as the reinforcement to prevent electrolysis. electrodes are then mounted in the porcelain base, as hereinbefore described, and pro- A similar arrangement is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This unit is designed for use with a container other than metal and is rovi'ded with holes 49 in its insulating ase for attachment to a glass, porcelain, wood, fiber, or other container. Thus. it will be seen that many, different specific embodiments of the electrode unit are adapted for use in connection with my invention. each, however, the positive and negative electrodes are composed of pure carbon, and each electrode is reinforced with a core of non-expanding metal, such as aluminum or German silver. The pure carbon will notpit, crevice or decompose, and consequently will notexpose the core to the action of the,

electrolyte. The core, being of relatively low heat coefficient, does not expandmaterially when the temperature rises, and accordingl'y there is no danger of the outer coating of carbon being broken or cracked by such expansion. Moreover, due to the roughening of the surface of the core, by

twisting, gridding, or in .any suitable m her, there is no danger of the carbon coa ing separating .,from the core, as might be the case when a smooth core is employed- The electrode unit is applied to asuitabIe tank containing electrolyte, such as the container 10 shown in Fig.1;

The electrode unit having been applied to the container, which is filled withelectrolyte of known concentration'to the level indicated in Fig. 1, and current applied to the electrodes, heating of the ,electrol takes place". When sufiicientcurrent as been supplied 'steam is generated which leaves through. the ofl'take' 21 at the. top of The imately twentytons to the square inch. The

the container and passes through a radiator or the like, giving up heat, and condensing, and then returning to the container through the return opening 23. As the electrolytic solution vaporizes, less surface of the electrodes is exposed to the electrolyte and less heat is generated, thus providing an automatic regulation of the current. Inthe con struction shown in Fig. 1 there is a large surface of electrode exposed to the electrolyte and consequently very efficient action is obtained.

It is frequently desirable that the pressure within tlie tank 100 shall not exceed a certain predetermined amount. Accordingly I have provided means for automatically cutting off the current to the electrodes as soon as the pressure reaches a certain point. This automatic means may be regulated to operate at Whatever pressure it is desired to obtain in the tank.

To accomplish this automatic regulation, I provide a current cut ofi' valve 50 opening away from the top of the container 50, and provided with a valve stem 51 which serves as a make and break switch to automatically open or close a circuit which includes the electrodes and 26, according to the vapor pressure existing within the tank. v

The valve works within a valve chamber 52, provided with a. cylindrical side wall 53 and a top 54, through which the valve stem 51 reciprocates. Spring stops are provided to limit the upward movement of the valve 50. The upper portion 56 ot' the valve rod 51 is provided with a metal contact member, which, when the valve 50 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 bridges two contact members 57, 58 which are 1n the circuit with the lead Wire 59 and with 32 which supplv current to the positive electrode 26. When, however, the valve 50 is raised by the pressure Within the tank 10 the conducting portion 56 of valve rod 51 is moved out of contact with the member which may be detachably supported by brackets 62 securedto the top of the container 10 by means of screws 63. A contact- 65 for a negative lead. 66 may also be .provided. if desired, though it .will be obvious that the negative electrode may be electrically connected to the metal container,

through its casing 24, and the container 10 suitably grounded by connecting the same to water pipes or the like.

In order to regulate the pressure at which the cut off 'valve 50 will operatea thrust spring 70 is provided, the tension of which may be regulated. The spring bears at one end against a plate 71 secured to the valve stem 51, and at its other end against a thrust )late 72, the position of which is regulated y means of threaded tension rods 73 connected at their lower ends tothe top plate 54 of the valve chamber 53. By adjusting the position of the plate 72 the tension of the spring 70 is regulated so that the valve 50 will open at any predetermined vapor pressure within the tank. A suitable packing. gland for valve rod 51 is provided at 74 to prevent steam or vapor from escaping from the cut-oif-valve-chamber 52.

In order that the pressure existing within the tank may be determined at anytime a pressure gage 75 is provided, which is connected by means of a pipe 76 with the interior of the tank 10.

It will be noted that all the partsof my device cooperateto permit accurate control of pressure and temperature conditions within my heating system, The purity of the electrodes and standardization of the electrolyte are essential for insuring the proper uniformity of flow of current. The shape of the electrodes and their large exposed -area, together with the steam ofitake 21 and intake 23 regulate the amount of heat supplied to the system. The liquid gage 15 and filler cup 13 permit accurate control of the amount'of electrolyte used, while the automatic cutofi' valve together with regulating spring 70 and pressure gage 75 combine to permit the desired regulation of pressure existing within the tank.

The invention has been fully described for the purpose of illustration, but it will be obvious that many of the details may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

\Vhat I claim i's: i 1. An electrolytic heater comprising a tank containing an electrolyte, an electrolytic unit mounted within said tank and in contact with said electrolyte, a reciprocating valve, a spring for normally seating said Valve in the top of said tank, said valve being opened when the vapor pressure in the tank exceeds the pressure of the spring, a switch rod carried by said valve and serving to make and break a circuit through said electrodes at a point outside of said electrolyte according as the said valve seated by the spring or opened by vapor pressure, and means for regulating the tension of said spring whereby the vapor pressure at which the valve opens may be controlled, and the heating effect of the electrodes regulated.

2. In an electrolytic heater cpl uprising a tank containing an electrolyte, 'an electrolytic unit removably mounted Within said tank and including a pair ofspaced electrodes in contact with said electrolyte; means for automatically making and, breaking an.elect1;ic circuit which supplies current to said elec-* trodes at a point Outside the electrolyte, comprising a reciprocable plunger in communication with the top of the tank and operable bymeans of vapor pressure therein, a rod carried by said plunger extending upwardly and having a portion of its length of conducting material and a portion of insulating material, a pair of spaced contacts extending into the path of said reciprocatmg rod, one being connected to a source of current and the other to one of said electrodes and adapted'to Contact with either the insulating or conducting portion-of said rod, whereby reciprocation of the plunger makes or breaks the circuit to the electrode, and adjustable means for normally seating 20 I, the piston in the top of the tank, comprising a spring surrounding thepiston rod, having manual means for adjusting the 1 tension of the spring, whereby the vapor pressure at which the pistonoperates may 25 be controlled, and the \heating effect of the electrodes regulated. a

In testimony whereof. I afiix my signature.

JOHN SLISZ. 

